Buffalo Bills News - March 23, 2001

Fans "ask the owner" [10:47 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'Ralph Wilson answered questions submitted by Bills fans via e-mail today in an exclusive interview with buffalobills.com. Wilson was scheduled to perform a live chat, but due to technical software difficulties, he answered fans questions submitted via e-mail to the site over the past few days.'

NFL Puts A Wrap On Bandannas [9:19 AM]New York Newsday reports:
'Concerned about the image being portrayed by a number of high-profile NFL players who wear bandannas and stocking caps beneath their helmets, the league's eight-member competition committee will make a recommendation next week to team owners that players be prohibited from wearing them during games.'

Washington disappointed with Bears' initial offer [8:25 AM]Daily South Town reports:
'The Bears made former Buffalo defensive tackle Ted Washington an offer Wednesday, and at the same time began exploring cheaper alternatives in the free-agent market.'

The Flutie Factor already is a force in San Diego. [8:11 AM]D and C reports:
'Some news a lot of fans probably don't want to hear:
The Chargers, coming off a 1-15 season, have sold more than 1,000 new season tickets since free-agent quarterback Doug Flutie was signed March 12, and the renewal rate has increased in what generally is a "down time" for season-ticket sales.'

March 22, 2001

Defense a Gray area [11:40 PM]NFL.com reports:
"It's a give-and-take situation," Gray said. "These guys played for Ted Cottrell, and they liked him. There might be a tad bit of animosity at first. They might want me to be just like Ted."

Bills to Stay in AFC East? [12:28 PM]cnnsi.com reports:
Don Banks speculates on the details of the NFL's possible realignment in 2002. When the league becomes a 32-team, eight-division in 2002, Banks thinks most of the new look will be quite familiar. Will the AFC East have Miami, New England, Buffalo and the New York Jets?

Positive changes found all around One Bills Drive [5:15 AM]D and C reports:
'Donahoe and Williams are a tad over the edge when it comes to details. But their obsession with the finer points looks pretty good next to the Obsessive Ostrich Disorder displayed by Butler and Phillips during last year's slide to .500.'

March 21, 2001

Draft Digest Bills Board [11:24 PM]NFL Draft Digest reports:
'Brian Delucia (one of the more well-respected draftniks) projects the different players the Bills have shown interest in and where they might project to take 'em - pretty good stuff ... no qbs till round 5 ... only round 2 possibility at tackle is Kareem Mackenzie ... possibly Nick Harris as punter in round 5.'

Dolphins, other teams interested in Rich Owens [3:29 PM]Miami Herald reports:
The articles states Miami and KC offered Miami FA DE Rich Owens contracts last week, and neither was accepted. Owens was in Buffalo last Friday. Owens' agents expect a contract offer from the Giants and the Bills as early as today. He missed 6 games last year with a back injury.

Williams will miss other half of 'The Package' [8:54 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"It's tough to deal with," said Williams, shaking his head. "Even now, it's hard to believe he is gone." "He" is Ted Washington, the Pro Bowl nose tackle who was released by the Bills last month. To Williams, Washington was more than just a vital element of the Bills' defense. He was Williams' confidant and closest friend on the team.'

Pats add Panos to offensive line [5:42 AM]Boston Herald reports:
'He signed with Buffalo as a free agent in 1998 and started all 16 games that season, but missed all of 1999 after undergoing surgery to repair a bulging disc in his neck. He was able to rejoin the team last season, but a series of nagging injuries, as well as the play of Pro Bowler Ruben Brown and Jamie Nails, kept him on the bench for the entire season.'

March 20, 2001

Bills Preseason Opponents [9:43 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'The Bills will play preseason games at Pittsburgh and at Cincinnati. Their home games will include the Rams and the Eagles.'

Patriots sign offensive lineman Joe Panos [7:59 PM]AP reports:
'He signed with the Buffalo Bills in 1998 and started every game that season. But he missed all of '99 after surgery to repair a bulging disk in his neck, and missed three games last year with injuries to his right heel and knee.'

Draft Needs of AFC Teams [12:50 PM]ESPN reports:
Mel Kiper lists each AFC team's major draft need. His opinion? The Bills need to get help on the offensive line, at cornerback, and on the defensive line.

Ostroski will become right guard [8:55 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'When the Buffalo Bills conducted their three-day practice last week, Jerry Ostroski was lined up at right guard instead of the center position he played last season. It appears the position switch will be permanent.'

Bears courting Bills tackle Washington [6:55 AM]Chicago Tribune reports:
'Washington is an unrestricted free agent after his release last month by the Bills. He decided to leave Buffalo rather than agree to a cut to his $5.28 million base salary. He met at Halas Hall with the Bears on Monday and would like Miller and his agent to get together again.'

Bears, Washington edge closer [6:54 AM]Chicago Sun Times reports:
'"If they work something out with my agent and the negotiator here, it's pretty much a done deal," the 6-5, 350-pound Washington said. "I like what I see and I'll fit in good." The Bears are trying to be patient and prudent with the $4 million of salary-cap room they have remaining.'

Bears talk with Washington [6:53 AM]Arlington Heights Daily Herald reports:
'[Ted Washington] could spend weeks visiting other interested employers, but he didn't seem eager to do so at Monday afternoon's Halas Hall press conference. "Hopefully not," he said of the possibility of taking other trips. "I like what I see here, and think I'll fit in good."'

Back to future for Van Pelt [6:15 AM]D and C reports:
'Van Pelt, a dependable backup with the Buffalo Bills for six seasons, re-signed, as expected, with the club yesterday. The Bills are switching to the West Coast offense under new coach Gregg Williams, the quick, rhythm passing attack that Van Pelt operated at the University of Pittsburgh in the early 1990s where he broke many of Dan Marino's records.'

March 19, 2001

Bills re-sign Van Pelt [9:25 PM]Shout! reports:
'The Bills as usual did not disclose terms of Van Pelt's contract -- which is believed to be at or slightly above the veteran minimum salary of $477,000 for 2001, with a small signing bonus.'

We don't think [it's all cleared up], though we're trying to. At least right now, the cap is at a place where it's manageable and we can survive on a daily basis. Each time we go to sign somebody, it has implications with the cap, and we have to study it and look at it. We're going to have to continue to do that.

Bills re-sign unrestricted free agent QB Van Pelt [6:05 PM]Sportsticker reports:
'"Everyone wants to play, but Rob's the guy," Van Pelt said. "There's no question. There was no question in my mind all along. What helps me is that I know my job: Be ready to go at the No. 2 or No. 3 spot and support the guy who's in there."'

Bills re-sign Van Pelt [6:00 PM]AP reports:
'After two years of salary-cap-forced purges, the Bills aren't out of the woods just yet. Although the situation is more manageable, Donahoe said he doesn't expect to be comfortably clear of the cap until next year.'

Ostroski restructures contract [12:25 PM]Empire Sports reports:
'Ostroski signed a 2-year extension through 2004, getting a $2 million signing bonus. He took a pay cut on his base salary this season from $1.5 to 1.25 million, pushing some money to the last two years of the deal. This freed up $1 million in cap room and, according to sources, the Bills are now about $4 million under the cap.'

Van Pelt, Carpenter, McDaniel sign with Bills [11:55 AM]TBD reports:
'The Bills have announced that free safety Keion Carpenter and wide receiver Jeremy McDaniel, both of whom were exclusive rights free agents, have accepted the team's tendered offers. Van Pelt will continue with the Bills for a 7th season.'

Spring football pays little for exercising Bills [9:54 AM]Business First of Buffalo reports:
'Would you work out under the instruction of nutrition and exercise experts at no cost? Would you do it in Buffalo even if your annual six- or seven-figure income allowed you to live in climates where spring was actually a season and not just an annual wish? Would you do it for $80 per day, plus food?'

It's still open season on grid speculating [9:51 AM]Business First of Buffalo reports:
'The Johnson-Flutie issue won't go away because the media loves it. It makes copy for the print journalists, when football writers were once struggling for material in the off season. And for radio and TV, it's a bonanza.'

Pro Bowl Tackle to Visit Bears [9:14 AM]Chicago Tribune reports:
Ted Washington will be visiting the Bears on Tuesday and a 3:00 pm press conference has been scheduled. The Bears have not made similar announcements with other visiting players...

March 18, 2001

KC Chiefs hesitate to trade for someone else's backup [4:07 PM]KC Star reports:
So was either [Brad or Rob] Johnson worth the No. 1 draft choice their teams coughed up to get them? Not according to [Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson] Peterson. "I think those were very, very foolish trades," Peterson said. "I would never do that. That doesn't make sense to me. Maybe it did to them at that time or whatever, but we're in a different situation. Our No. 1 draft pick is worth too much. I wouldn't want anyone to think that we absolutely, positively, unequivocally think that we have to have Trent Green."